NOTAM 121310

13 December 2010

Principal’s Message
Congratulations ASB and sophomore class (go, Tran!) for sponsoring the successful and eventful Candyland Winter Tolo this past Saturday evening. Mr. McComb reports that the music was good, the dancing was fun, and the decorations were sweet! (and the smoke machine will not be invited back.)

Congratulations are also in order for Barrett Estep for earning the Aviation Merit Badge through Scout Troop 282 in West Seattle. Barrett and other Scouts had the privilege of spending a full day with Alaska Airlines employees to learn about airport operations, flight planning, airplane controls and emergency evacuations. Great accomplishment, Barrett!

Olivia Pham is our SODO Rotary Student of the Month for December. Olivia will be honored this Thursday by the SODO Rotarians, and on January 3 she will be recognized by the Southcenter Rotary Club. Congratulations, Olivia!

More students than ever seem to be taking to the skies this year to experience the excitement of flight. Katie McConville, Lauren Crom, Anastasia Pallis are among the other students who have shared their recent experiences. The interest in the freshman class is so high, in fact, that two of our Wingmen, Peter Anderson and Peter Morton are considering a request to organize flights sometime in the spring when the weather is more predictable. Stay tuned for more information!

We presented to our last group of Highline middle school students last week. Hooray and thanks to the many AHS ambassadors who have participated in recruitment activities. At Pacific Middle School on Friday, we presented to five classes, back-to-back with only a five-minute break in between. During the last presentation, Mrs. Onorati, a science teacher who coordinated our visit and who was present for all five sessions, remarked, “I never get tired of seeing your video and hearing your students present…they are so articulate…and their demonstrations are fascinating!” That is high praise, indeed, and well-earned! We have just one Information Night to come on January 13. Then it is on to reviewing applications and scheduling interviews. I look forward to more participation from student volunteers.

Only four days of school this week…and lots more visitors are scheduled:

• Today—Monday, 1:30-3:00, new executive from Rolls Royce
• Tuesday, December 14, 11:30-1:30, Esterline VIPs & Doug King, new CEO of Museum of Flight
• Wednesday, December 15, 9:00-11:00, VP & HR Director of TECT Aerospace
• Thursday, 9:00-11:00, two administrators from the Bellevue School District—informal visit.

Your teachers and team/club advisors have information related to these visits. Many of you will be participating, so I thank you in advance for sharing your learning and goals for the future.

And so…as of Friday, you are officially on holiday break until January 3 when school resumes. May the holiday season be one of joy for all of you as you celebrate traditions that are unique and special to your family. My best to all of you amazing students, parents/guardians and families, mentors, and community partners. I am honored to know you and serve as your principal. ~Reba

NOTE:
o Continue checking the AHS website or logging on to school computers to get updated information on events and meetings.


Quote of the Week:
“Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation.” ~Robert F. Kennedy

NOTAM 112910

6 December 2010


Principal’s Message

Student-led conferences that were postponed due to inclement weather are being made up after school today. As a reminder, students and guardians will keep their original appointed times. Check with your advisor if you are unsure of your time.

As a result of school closures the week of Thanksgiving, all student-led conferences in the Highline School District are being rescheduled. Since other schools in the district will be holding student-led conferences on Friday, 17 Dec, there will be no school any Highline Schools (including AHS) on Friday, 17 Dec. Since we will have already held our student-led conferences, it will mean an early start for AHS students to their winter holiday break!

Of course, we will make up the days lost to snow. Snow make-up days are currently scheduled for Friday, 27 May, and Monday, 27 June. Please note that we have built‐in additional snow make‐up days at the end of our school calendar, June 28‐30. If forecasters are to be believed, we will likely need those days. Keep this in mind as you make your plans for summer.

On a different note, if you have been serving as an AHS ambassador this year, know that your efforts are making a difference in how others view our school. More than 100 of you participated in last week’s second information program of the school year, demonstrating your learning and sharing your goals and plans for the future. I always receive notes of thanks from people who attend, so I’ve chosen to share one of them with you this week from a family who lives in a distant community:

“My son and I want to thank you, your teaching/staff, and the students who hosted and presented at last evening's open house. I cannot tell you how impressed we were with Aviation H.S. I was amazed at the maturity, intelligence, and warmth of the students we met. I was particularly impressed that every one of the young men and women articulated their career/life plans to achieve their dreams. I was touched as I watched my son interact with the other students as I realized we had found the perfect place for him.”

Know that you make a difference, each and every one of you!

This week brings more opportunities for ambassadorship. On Tuesday from 8:30-10:30 a.m. three key leaders of the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction in Olympia are touring our school to interact with students and staff and learn more about our STEM initiatives. Then from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. we will be hosting a group of VIPs that will include recent Pathfinder and aviator extraordinaire Clay Lacy, Pathfinder and Boeing flight test engineer Susanna Darcy-Hanneman (tentative), author of a new aviation book, Sam Howe Verhovek, and 7-8 other leaders within the region. Our wingman, Peter Morton, will be accompanying them. They have asked to see presentations by the Robotics and Science Olympiad teams, which will be scheduled during lunch, and they want to visit classes to talk with both staff and students. I will be sharing a schedule with staff that they, in turn, can share with you. Their visit represents a great opportunity for you to ask questions of them in addition to sharing your own learning experiences.

Next Tuesday, December 14 marks another ambassador opportunity as we host the new CEO of the Museum of Flight, Mr. Doug King and executive leaders of Esterline and Korry Electronics. Their visit will be from 11:30-1:30, and the schedule will be similar to this week’s VIP visit. Wednesday, December 15 marks yet another opportunity as the Vice-President of TECT Aerospace visits from 9-11 a.m.

Additional thanks goes to students who presented at Cascade and Sylvester Middle Schools last week. We conclude our middle school visits this week with presenting at Chinook on Wednesday and Pacific on Friday.

Congratulations to our Robotics team for hosting a successful First Lego League Invitational this past Saturday: twenty-two teams participated. Special thanks to Mr. Pascua, Mr. Gee, and Mr. Campisteguy for overseeing the set-up, judging, refereeing, and awards.

On Sunday, Skunkworks participated in one of two regional FTC tournaments - this one was at Tahoma Senior High School in Covington. We won the "Think" award, which was awarded for the high quality of our Engineering Notebook. We were also one of three finalists for the highest award given, the "Inspire" award. By being a finalist, we are automatically eligible for the State FTC Tournament, which will be held in January. I "think" we are now "inspired" to improve our performance at the next tournament, which is Dec. 12. Go Skunks!


I never have any doubts about the spirit of Aviation High School, and I look forward to seeing you express it even more this week as you participate in Spirit Week! Your ASB has worked hard to plan a fun week for you. Enjoy it…and as a gentle reminder, remember that if you choose not to participate, AHS dress code is required.

I’m honored to be your principal! My best to you—Reba

NOTE:
o Seniors: Ms. Juarez reminds you to submit your senior pictures for yearbook on or before Friday, 10 December.
o Continue checking the AHS website or logging on to school computers to get updated information on events and meetings.

Quote of the Week:

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the ONLY thing that ever has.”
~Margaret Mead

NOTAM 112910

29 November 2010


Message from the Principal:

Welcome back from what I hope was a good Thanksgiving holiday and extended break from school!

With school closures last week due to inclement weather, student-led conferences were postponed until December 6. You will keep the same appointment time that you had for November 21.

Information & reminders for this week:

• We will be recruiting at Cascade Middle School this Wednesday. I will be calling on some of you to participate in this event.
• Our second Information Night for 8th graders and parents will be held this Thursday, December 2 from 5:45-8:15 p.m. If you are asked to assist a teacher or the administration, you will be treated to a pizza dinner. Thanks, one and all, for your ambassadorship!
• Sylvester Middle School has invited us to present to their 8th graders this Friday morning in an all-class assembly. We have only 35 minutes to promote our school! I’ll be calling on students to participate.
• We were scheduled to present to Pacific Middle School 8th graders today, but since we had no time to organize last week, we are working with them to reschedule within the next two weeks. We are scheduled to present at Chinook Middle School on December 8.

Special thanks to students and families for your patience and flexibility last week as we encountered our first school closure of the school year. And, apologies from us if we missed any steps that caused undue worry. Parents / Guardians: Always feel free to contact us to clarify information when/if we have another school closure or early dismissal. Remember, too, to check www.schoolreport.org at regular intervals for updated information. The district will also continue to do robo-calls to the homes of all students to announce early dismissals and school closures.

That’s it for this week, Scholars! Cheers to learning—a whole week of it, hopefully, with no interruptions due to weather! Honored to be your principal—Reba

NOTE:
o Continue checking the AHS website or logging on to school computers to get updated information on events and meetings.


Quote of the Week:
[Experts’] knowledge is not simply a list of facts and formulas that are relevant to their domain; instead, their knowledge is organized around core concepts or ‘big ideas’ that guide their thinking about their domains.
~ John Bransford, author of How People Learn

NOTAM 112210

22 November 2010

Message from the Principal:
This past Saturday evening was another spectacular one for 28 AHS ambassadors who attended the Joe Sutter dinner lecture at the Museum of Flight. Sponsored by members of the Royal Aeronautical Society, our students gained another great opportunity to network with aviation and aerospace leaders and to learn about the exciting future of hypersonic flight. For all of us who attended from AHS, the best part of the evening came when Lydia Johnston was called to the podium to receive the Rolls Royce Spirit of Excellence Award. Along with having her name engraved on the Rolls Royce jet engine fan blade that is proudly displayed in our main office, Lydia received a $5,000 scholarship that will be sent to her university of choice to pursue an engineering degree. Congratulations, Lydia! And thank you, Rolls Royce, for your magnanimous support of our school!

Hearty congratulations are also extended to the following students:

• Betsy Smith and Olivia Gleason for being selected as our October SoDo and Southcenter Rotary Students of the Month, and Melissa Lewis for selection as our November Student of the Month for both Rotary clubs.
• Sophomore student and future pilot Michael Marinkovich who recently soloed!
• Aaron Sbarra who earned the distinction of Quartermaster through the Sea Scout program, a division of the Boy Scouts of America. There are only about 25 scouts per year in the U.S. who earn this prestigious award!

Thank you, students and parents who participated in last week’s student-led conferences. The second and final round of conferences will be held after school today (Monday). We appreciate the effort that students have taken to share their learning with parents; likewise, we appreciate the engagement of our parents in these conferences so that support and encouragement can be provided at home.

Thanksgiving is a special holiday that encourages us to give thanks for the many blessings in our lives. Among my blessings are all of you—students, staff, parents, and community members who contribute so much all year ‘round to make Aviation High School a special place to learn, work, and thrive. As you enjoy Wednesday through Sunday of this week away from school, know that you are deeply appreciated and loved by many!

May your Thanksgiving be one in which you reap a harvest of blessings. From my heart to yours—Reba

Message from Culture Club about Talent Show:
Here at AHS, not only do we have brains, but TALENTS! As most of you may all know, every year, AHS recognizes the student's wonderful talents by organizing a talent show!

This year's show is going to be held on January 21st, which is a great way to celebrate a brand new school year!

Mark your calendars because audition dates are coming up, on December 7th & December 14th from 3:45-5:00 pm in the gym. December 14th is reserved only for those who are planning to perform in a band. If you are interested, there will be a sign-up sheet in the office! More information will come soon!

Message from the Highline District:
School Performance Reports for all schools in the district are now posted on the school web pages - lower right side of each page. There is also a consolidated web page for all reports: http://www.hsd401.org/ourdistrict/about/performancereport.htm

NOTE:
o Continue checking the AHS website or logging on to school computers to get updated information on events and meetings.
o In last week’s NOTAM, information was provided about inclement weather and possible school delays or closures. Reminder: Please keep this information handy. We follow the Highline School District’s schedule!

Quote of the Week:
"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." -John Fitzgerald Kennedy

NOTAM 111510

15 November 2010

Message from the Principal:
We have much to be grateful for at Aviation High School! As I reflect on my blessings today, I’m extending enormous thanks to:

• Our incredible PTSA who sponsored a spectacular auction this past Saturday evening at the Museum of Flight! It was a magical evening of spirited bidding and generous support for our school. Special thanks goes to Auction Chair Teri Katzer and the auction committee of Julie Zaballos, Erin Wingard, Kathy Silvernale, Denise Corrigan, Stephanie Hoag, DeAnna Luke-Huey, Gayle Wagner, Dayna Miller, Liz & Bill Campisteguy, Cherlyn Kozlak, Irasema Petralia, Karen Hixon, Debbie Stern, Logan Ponnoosamy, Tracey Phillips, Karen Rencher, and Theda Hiranaka for their tireless work to make the auction such a grand success! I’m also very grateful to Alaska Airlines, Erin Air, Esterline Corporation, Galvin Flying, Prudential Northwest, Verallia/Saint Gobain, Bassetti Architects, and Cox Financial for their sponsorship at the Blue Angel and Fat Albert levels! Thanks, too, for the many other parent, student and staff volunteers and to the donors who contributed their time and resources in support of our students and their futures! We are grateful!
  
• Our entire learning community for making our first informational program last Wednesday such a success! Over 100 students served as student ambassadors to inform, engage, and excite potential students and families about our school. With approximately 250-300 people in attendance that evening, we were able to personalize the experience for our guests. Thank you, students, parents, mentors, and staff! The next information night will be held December 2 from 5:45-8:15 p.m. If you would like to help, please let your teachers know or see Ms. Stark or Ms. Hiranaka in the main office.

By the way, if you know of anyone who attended and plans to apply for admission, please ask him/her to download the corrected version of the application from our website! Unfortunately, there was an error in printing the applications, so those that were distributed last week were incomplete (missing pages 8-11) and Essay 4.2 was incorrect. We apologize for these errors and will work with anyone who submits an incomplete application to get it right.

Speaking of getting it right: 1st quarter report cards are going home in the mail THIS week. Quarter grades are a formal progress report towards semester grades: quarter grades do not show up on your transcript; semester grades will. Are you on track for a successful semester? Two important pieces of new information to help you get or stay on track:

• Peer tutoring is provided by the National Honor Society on most Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday afternoons from 3:45 – 5:00. You can get help with math, English, social studies, world language, and science. Check the school calendar for details.
• In order to more effectively and quickly communicate with parents and students, AHS will be using Edline, an online tool to share information, grades, assignments, etc. In the mailing that includes your report card, you will also find a letter describing how you and your parent(s) can log-in to Edline.
  

Winter will soon be arriving, and with it comes the likelihood of inclement weather and school delays or closures. By following Highline Public Schools on Facebook and Twitter you will be among the first to be informed. You will find links to both pages on the district website at www.hsd401.org. You can also sign up for email alerts at http://www.schoolreport.org/. If you reside outside of the Highline School District, please know that we follow Highline’s schedule! Your resident district may be entirely different than Highline’s.

That’s it for this week, my friends. My best to all for a spectacular week of learning! I am honored to be your principal—Reba

NOTE:
o Continue checking the AHS website or logging on to school computers to get updated information on events and meetings

Quote of the Week:
Life's like a movie, write your own ending. Keep believing, keep pretending."
Jim Henson, American puppeteer

NOTAM 110810

08 November 2010

Message from the Principal:
Today marks the start of second quarter and the continuation of first semester! I hope that your quarter exams/project presentations went according to your expectations (high expectations, of course!) and that you are inspired to push your learning to even higher levels of achievement. YOU are worth the effort that is required to realize your goals and dreams!

Veterans’ Day is this Thursday, November 11, so there will be no school. School will be in session on Friday, though…so see you then!

As we all will witness this afternoon, Veterans’ Day is not at all about having a day off from school. It is about honor, valor, commitment, and love of country and for comrades with whom one serves… and oh, so much more. We are fortunate to have retired Brigadier General Steve Ritchie, the most decorated Air Force pilot in military history, as our keynote speaker for this year’s Veterans’ Day Assembly. When I read his bio I was in awe of his accomplishments, and I am sure you will be, too. As I read about him, it caused me to think of the millions of military veterans who also served our country with dignity and pride; and, while they may not have earned distinguished recognition such as General Ritchie, they are still heroes. Veterans’ Day is about acknowledging all of our veterans for their service. So…as you do whatever it is you are planning to do on Thursday, a day away from school, please find time to also thank one or more veterans. Be assured that your thanks will be genuinely appreciated.

For the past few years, the Royal Aeronautical Society has invited AHS students and staff to attend their annual black-tie (that means formal/dress up attire similar to the Pathfinder Gala) Joe Sutter Dinner & Lecture. This year is no exception, and the date is Saturday, November 20. Sponsorship is being provided by Honeywell, Boeing Training & Flight Services, Boeing Test & Evaluation, Hobart Machined Parts (Betsy Smith and Melissa Lewis have already been selected by this company), Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Rolls Royce, and perhaps a few more aerospace-affiliated companies. So far, it looks like we will be able to take 20-25 students to this magnificent event. If you are interested in attending, check the calendar for details about what I need from you (details under RAeS / Joe Sutter Dinner on Saturday, November 20). I will need to receive your email message by no later than Monday, November 15. (Applicants for the Rolls-Royce scholarship are expected to attend.)

Marketing and recruitment of the Class of 2015 actively begins this week! Our first evening information program for eighth graders and parents will be held this Wednesday evening from 6:00-8:15 p.m. You may be asked by one of your teachers to assist; if so, we’ll treat you to pizza in appreciation of your ambassadorship. Science Olympiad, ACE Club, Robotics team, Speech & Debate should plan to set up displays in the cafeteria or back of the gym immediately after school on Wednesday. Other clubs are welcome to display, too.

If you are interested in helping with marketing and recruitment activities, please sign up with Lenore Stark in the main office. Examples of ways you can assist: Accompany us to a middle school to present to 8th graders (we are now scheduled to present in all four middle schools in the Highline School District), be a reader of student applications, serve on an interview team, assist with logistics and ‘meeting and greeting’ on interview days. EVERY student at AHS can serve as an ambassador by telling your friends and neighbors about Aviation High School and encouraging them to ‘check us out’ by attending one of our information programs. Next info programs are scheduled for December 2 and January 13. Application deadline this year is January 30, 2011.

That’s it for this week. Honored to be your principal—Reba


NOTE:
o Continue checking the AHS website or logging on to school computers to get updated information on events and meetings

Quote of the Week:
Valor is stability, not of legs and arms, but of courage and the soul."
-Michel de Montaigne

"In war, there are no unwounded soldiers."
-Jose Narosky

NOTAM 1 November 2010

01 November 2010

Message from the Principal:

Thank you again to everyone for making our visitors from Dayton Regional STEM school feel so welcomed last week. In our debriefing with their principal and staff late Friday afternoon, we heard the following compliments about your skills and your character:

• public speaking skills: their #1 compliment was “Your students are so articulate!”
• friendliness & helpfulness: They commented about how comfortable you appeared in hosting visitors, sharing your learning, and simply saying “hello” even when you were just passing them in the hallways.
• engagement in and passion for learning: You impressed our visitors with your ability to explain what you were learning versus what you were doing; how you would apply it; next steps in the learning process.
• the clarity of your purpose and your goals: They also mentioned your ability to clearly articulate why you came to Aviation High School and your goals for college and career. This clarity was a big ‘take away’ for them that they will begin to incorporate with their own students.
• your respectful demeanor: More than one commented, “They are so nice!”

You are all of these good things and more, so give yourselves a well-deserved pat on the back. I am immensely proud of you!

Congratulations to:

• Jordan Stivers, a senior, and Sean Romanczuk, a graduate of AHS’s Class of 2009, for earning their Eagle Scout!
• The Skunkworks Robotics Team for sponsoring a very fun and successful spaghetti dinner and auction last Friday evening!
• National Honor Society for sponsoring a blood drive last week that resulted in 34 donors, 21 who were first-time donors. According to the rep from the Puget Sound Blood Bank, “Each unit of blood is divided into three separate components (red blood cells, platelets and plasma) and is given to different patients for various reasons. This means that donors from AHS helped save the lives of over 90 people!” Way to go, AHS blood donors, and special thanks to Faiza, Alma, Melissa, and Danielle for leading and managing this event!
• Speech & Debate team for their outstanding results at the Gig Harbor tournament this past weekend. Five teams competed, and Albert Ta and Hayk Saakian placed third with a 4-1 record. Other team members—Jenny Gao and Libanos Redda, Matt Iverson and Karan Singh, Amela Jazvin and Katie McConville, and Serena Simkus and Abdul Firoz had a 3-2 record. Albert also got 5th place out of 24 competitors in Extemp and 9th place out of 40 in Impromptu. It’s on to Whitman this Friday and Saturday, the first really big tournament of the year, according to Coach Shiroma. We’ll be cheering for you!

There are some particularly important dates coming up:

1. Thanksgiving break is just around the corner, and this year you will have Wednesday, 24 November off in addition to Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, 25 Nov) and Friday (26 Nov). Wednesday, 24 Nov will be a non-student day because we are scheduling student-led conferences on two separate evenings: Tuesday, 16 November and Monday, 22 November (equivalent to one full day of school). (Note that the calendar originally published in the student handbook at the start of the school year did not include 24 Nov as a non-student day.)
2. Our annual PTSA-sponsored auction is quickly approaching. Saturday, 13 November is the date and the location is the Museum of Flight. If you haven’t heard about this wonderful event and want to help out or attend, please contact our auction chair, Teri Katzer, at tkatzer@msn.com or find more information on the PTSA website at http://www.aviationptsa.org.
3. This Friday, 5 November, is the last day of fall quarter. It’s also the due date for applications to Washington Aerospace Scholars!

Here’s to learning and achievement! My best to all of you as we wind down one quarter and ramp up for the next! I am honored to be your principal. ~Reba

NOTE:
o Continue checking the AHS website or logging on to school computers to get updated information on events and meetings

Quote of the Week: Or rather…a poem:

Working Together
by David Whyte

We shape our self to fit this world
and by the world are shaped again.

The visible and the invisible
working together in common cause,
to producethe miraculous.

I am thinking of the way the intangible air
passed at speedround a shaped wing
easily holds our weight.[*]

So may we, in this life trust
to those elementswe have yet to see
or imagine,and look for the true
shape of our own self, by forming it well
to the great Intangibles about us.

[*] As we all know, lift on an airfoil is not solely generated Bernoulli’s principle as implied by the poem. Despite the artistic license the author has taken with the physics of lift, his metaphor still works well (and may even work better).